Page 35 of His Duchess' Wicked List

Maddie almost dropped her cup of tea. “Do I? I suppose it must be that new rouge that Jane purchased in London. It is all the rage.”

Selina raised her eyebrows. “Really? But you disdain artifice! You never paint your face like a trollop. I haven’t known you to even use face powder before.”

Maddie shrugged, feeling desperately uncomfortable. “Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time. But if it looks too much, then I will stop wearing it. Maybe Jane applied just a little too much during my toilette this morning.”

Selina bit into her toast, still staring at her quizzically. Maddie sipped her tea, trying to keep her composure. She knew exactly why she was glowing. But the real reason wasn’t something she could tell Selina. Not now, in this public place, and not even in private.

She felt sad. Selina was her very best friend in the world. Normally, they confided in each other about everything. But there was just no way she could tell her best friend about the strange thing that was happening between her and Daniel. She didn’t think Selina would approve at all.

The door to the dining room opened. Maddie almost dropped her teacup again. It was the Duke.

Do not look at him. Do not even glance his way!

But, of course, she couldn’t resist. To her relief, he took a seat on the other end of the table, next to Lady Darnley. He turned to the older lady.

“And how is your puppy this morning, Lady Darnley?” he asked. “I hope you are spoiling him after his great adventure.”

Lady Darnley beamed. “Oh, yes, Your Grace! He has been in the lap of luxury, being fed sweetmeats, the little rascal! I venture he will not wander far again after his scare last night.”

The Duke nodded. “I am only sorry I was not the one to find him,” he said solemnly. “I searched for a good while. But it hardly matters. All is well that ends well.”

Maddie’s face burnt with shame. She knew he hadn’t searched for the puppy at all. And her search for the lost animal had been curtailed by him. While everyone else was scouring the grounds, they had been locked in his lair, doing scandalous things.

Well, My Lady, we can cross Sleep With A Gentleman off your list now.

His voice from the previous night, just before she had fled the lair, drifted into her mind, as clear as a bell. Her color deepened. She had fallen asleep, and he had watched her sleeping. The first thing she had seen when she had opened her eyes was his face gazing at her avidly.

Somehow, it was even more intimate than what had happened previously. One was vulnerable when sleeping. She didn’t know what to think about it at all.

The list. There are still more things on it…

She put down her teacup, rising to her feet, throwing her napkin on the table. She couldn’t eat, and she couldn’t stay in this room with him. Not for one more minute.

She glanced at him again. Her eyes widened. Lady Darnley was dabbing at her eyes with her lace handkerchief, clearly distressed, as she recounted in detail the lead-up to the loss of her pup last night to the Duke.

That wasn’t surprising. Lady Darnley always wore her heart on her sleeve a little bit, particularly when it concerned her animals. Whatwassurprising was the way the Duke was handling it. He was patting her arm, talking to her in a soothing voice. The old lady smiled at him tremulously.

Maddie frowned. It was a kind, caring gesture, and it seemed genuine. But even if it wasn’t, the effect it had on the lady was real. Was it possible that the Duke had a tender side, after all?

“Shall we go for a walk this morning?” Selina asked, making her jump. “Maybe Augusta could come with us.”

Maddie nodded quickly, seemingly just as eager to escape. “That sounds perfect, dearest.”

“And then, we must confer about our gowns for this evening,” Selina added, smiling. “That shall take some time.”

Maddie looked blank. “Why?”

Selina laughed. “Your mind is like a sieve, Maddie! The ball is this evening. Mama will be preparing for it for the entire day. It will be the talk of the district. Simply everyone is coming.”

“Of course,” Maddie said in a faint voice. “The ball. How could I forget?”

Quickly, she started walking out of the room, looking straight ahead. But when she reached the door, she glanced back. The Duke was gazing at her, a warm expression on his face.

Oh, how was she going to evade him now, after what he had done to her?

CHAPTER 15

“Daniel!Daniel!”

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